Casey Affleck on Working with His Famous Family

Casey Affleck is Hollywood royalty. He is the brother of Ben Affleck, an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director, and brother-in-law of actor Joaquin Phoenix, who played matchmaker for his sister, Summer, and Affleck. He has worked with both men, starring in his brother's highly praised Gone Baby Gone, and directed the controversial mockumentary, I'm Still Here, featuring his brother-in-law. We caught up with him last night at the New York premiere of Ain't Them Bodies Saints, hosted by BAMcinemaFest and the Cinema Society at the BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn. David Lowery's romance/crime film (out August 16) and Casey's star turn in it have received critical acclaim on the festival circuit. We chatted up the younger Affleck about the movie and working with his celebrity family.

Why is 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' getting such rave reviews?

My performance notwithstanding, this film was very well crafted, lovingly put together, handmade by David Lowery. When you have somebody who's invested many years and long hours to prepare to be a director, and you couple that with a real talent as well as a look on love for the story (add the courage to write something that is personal), you end up with something great.

Do you want to make another movie with your brother-in-law?

I would do it in a minute—I would love to. He's just supremely talented. I learned so much from him—he's an incredibly talented actor, and he's always fascinating to watch and more fascinating to be around, you know, watching him work.

How about your brother?

Same thing.

Do you have any plans to work with him again?

We are developing one thing together that he would direct, and I would act in, but it's very far off. We both had a good experience in the last one, first time around.

What are you working on that you can tell us about?

I've got a movie coming out at Thanksgiving called Out of the Furnace, and I'm going to work on a Chris Nolan movie in the fall.